Is It My Shoulder or My Neck That’s Causing Pain?

Referred pain is pain that the body can not trace to an exact source. Patients who suffer from such pain are often frustrated—not knowing where their pain is truly coming from means they can’t treat their symptoms. Perhaps one of the best examples of this type of situation occurs in patients who have shoulder and/or neck pain. If you’re one of these patients, here’s how to tell what’s causing your pain:

When Pain is Caused by The Shoulder

The three most common shoulder injuries are:

Rotator cuff tears. The rotator cuff consists of a group of muscles and tendons that rotate and stabilize the shoulder. The cuff may be torn while performing overhead arm movements or because tendons have weakened and worn with age.

Labrum tears. The glenoid labrum is a ring of cartilage that holds the head of the humerus in the glenoid cavity of the scapula. Like the rotator cuff, it may be torn while performing overhead arm movements.

Overuse can cause the joint lining fluid-filled sacs, known as bursae, to become irritated and inflamed.

Treating Your Pain

If you’re in pain, please don’t hesitate to contact our offices to arrange an appointment with one of our sports medicine specialists. Once an accurate diagnosis has been made, a treatment plan that’s right for you will be created. Expect a full recovery and return to a symptom-free life when you chose our practice.